Ilaje Community Seeks Support For 5,000 Victims Of Demolition

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to intervene in the demolition of 500 houses and displacement of over 5,000 people by some land grabbers in conjunction with some officials of the Lagos State government without any prior notice.

This call was made by Prince Iwamitigha Raphael, the president-general of Egbe Omo Ilaje Worldwide yesterday in Lagos while briefing the newsmen on the sufferings of the displaced persons who are mostly indigenes of Ilaje in Ondo State.

He also called on Ondo State governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to emulate his Ebonyi State counterpart, Francis Nwifuru through the provision of relief materials to victims forced to relocate to churches, mosques and under-bridges in Lagos.

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Raphael explained further that the demolition was illegal because the land in question was acquired in the 17th and 18th Century when Oba Osangangan and the Ooni of Ife migrated to Ilaje local government of Ondo State and later migrated to Lagos State.

He wondered why the buildings at Otumara Community were demolished while the land is still a subject of litigation between the Oloto ruling house and Otumara community adding that the case was brought before Justice Sule Amsat and has been adjourned till May 7, this year, for hearing.

The president-general posited that, “Despite the pendency of the case before court of competent jurisdiction the state actors backed by fully armed policemen and some thugs led by Toyin Tomori and Sadiq Aromire invaded Otumara Community.”

He alleged that some people died while others were injured during the invasion, adding that prior to the creation of Lagos State, the land in question was a Creek and the Otumara community paid royalty to the colonial masters.